In a heartfelt joint message, Prince William and Princess Catherine have expressed their profound sadness following a tragic Spitfire crash during a Battle of Britain event today.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, interrupting their half-term break with their children, shared a heartfelt message on X, conveying their condolences to the pilot’s loved ones, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the wider RAF family.

The tragic incident unfolded as a World War II Spitfire pilot perished in a crash near an RAF station in Lincolnshire.

Officials confirmed that the plane, part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at RAF Coningsby, went down in a nearby field.

The RAF has launched a comprehensive investigation into the crash to understand every detail and prevent future tragedies.

The news has left the community and aviation enthusiasts mourning the loss of a hero. The Ministry of Defense confirmed the devastating news, stating, “It is with great sadness that we must confirm the death of an RAF pilot in a tragic accident near RAF Coningsby. Today, the pilot’s family has been informed, and we ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also shared his condolences on X, describing the loss of a serving RAF pilot as “awful news” and expressing solidarity with the pilot’s family and loved ones.

This tragic event has particularly resonated with the royal family, given Prince William’s previous role as honorary air commodore of RAF Coningsby from 2008 until August 2023, when Princess Catherine took over the role.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis have been enjoying their May half-term break, with Prince William making the most of the family time. He attended the FA Cup Final with 10-year-old Prince George on Saturday, May 25th, creating a memorable father-son moment. This outing came just days after Prince William had to cancel a scheduled royal visit, with Kensington Palace assuring the public of plans to reschedule in the future.

As President of the Football Association since 2006, Prince William shared the excitement of the match between Manchester City and Manchester United with his eldest son. The thrilling game ended with a 2-1 victory for Manchester City, and Prince William had the honor of presenting the trophy to the winning team, further solidifying the bond between father and son.